Latest news with #Aysa
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Clean bill of health for inbred Yorkshire Wildlife Park lion cubs
Three lion cubs whose "shock" birth in captivity was the result of an incestuous mating between a mother and her son are all healthy, staff at a wildlife park have cubs, which are now nine weeks old, were born in April at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP), near Doncaster, amid fears the inbreeding could cause genetic YWP staff said that following the cubs' two-month check up and vaccinations, they had a "clean bill of health".Bex Brown, head of carnivores at the wildlife park, said it was "such a delight to see a new generation of lions healthy and happy". The cubs' mother, Aysa, was rescued from war-torn Kyiv in March 2024 with her female cubs Emi and Santa, and male Teddi, who is now arrived at YWP after being moved 2,000 miles (3,219km) by road from a Polish holding was thought that Aysa became pregnant between two vasectomy procedures her son Teddi underwent towards the end of park has been criticised for the "against the odds" pregnancy, because inbreeding can lead to health defects and abnormalities. But a spokesperson said it was decided not to separate the lioness and her older cubs because they had spent nine months apart without sunlight or outside stimulation on their journey to Doncaster and there had been fears separating them again would have "compromised" Teddi. Staff at YWP said following the cubs' latest check-ups and vaccinations, their development was on track and they were hitting weight and growth milestones."We are so happy to share that the cubs are doing well," Ms Brown said."Their personalities are already coming through and the boys are definitely a bit more boisterous. "The female is a little more delicate and keener on coming over to see the keepers." Staff said the cubs needed "the best possible start at life" and, as the weather improved and the cubs grew, they were getting more time the new cubs would live alongside their older siblings, but for now could be seen on screen, a spokesperson Brown said: "We're working on gradually progressing them to the reserves, but first need to do some 'cub-proofing' to ensure they're safe."Hopefully, soon visitors will be able to see the cubs join their siblings and learn to socialise with the rest of the pride." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
31-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Yorkshire Wildlife Park's 'surprise' over lions' inbreeding
The "shock" birth of three lion cubs in captivity was the result of an incestuous mating between a mother and her son, it has been revealed. The Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP) rescued a family of lions from Ukraine and the mother became pregnant while on contraception before the two-year-old male had had a successful Doncaster-based attraction has been criticised by visitors over the "against the odds" event as inbreeding can lead to health defects and abnormalities, according to wildlife the YWP said it did not separate the lioness and her older cubs because it would have "compromised the welfare" of the new litter's father, Teddi. It is thought the mother, Aysa, became pregnant between two vasectomy procedures her son Teddi underwent towards the end of and her first set of cubs, with Teddi among them, arrived at the park last March after a journey from a holding facility in were reunited after they had spent nine months apart from each other without any sunlight or stimulation from the outside park's director of animals, Dr Charlotte MacDonald, said: "It was a very pleasant surprise but one I would rather not have had. "People might ask why we didn't keep the males separate from the girls if we thought that this might be a risk."But it's because they are a social species." She added: "You've got to weigh up the balance in terms of the type of contraception and everything that you chose in order to keep these animals together and they had such a rough start in life, this little family. "To split them up again would have just been horrendous."Keepers suspected four-year-old Aysa was pregnant for a while but said it was difficult to be sure as she already had a "saggy tummy". Most contraceptives available to zookeepers were only 99% effective, said Dr MacDonald. "So, against all the odds, it would appear that he's managed to catch the 1% that didn't work", she added. Aysa was "very attentive and motherly" to her cubs, who were born on 24 March, and all appear healthy, according to the in 2014, five lions were destroyed at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire because they had serious genetic defects caused by inbreeding. The attraction said at the time it had no choice but to put down a lioness and her cubs because they displayed "odd aggressive behaviour" due to "poorly managed genetic history" prior to their arrival. Bex Brown, section head of carnivores at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, said: "(Their experiences in) Kyiv must have been traumatic for them, but here it's as nice and comfortable and peaceful as it can be."The older siblings are currently separated from the newborn cubs but the future plan is for them to all live together." Dr MacDonald added: "We have absolutely no further intention of breeding any more lions at Yorkshire Wildlife Park."They will have a good life here."Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
